Gandhinagar, Jan 7 : Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan today asserted that the research and innovation environment in India is rapidly changing, with the government actively supporting scientists with various incentive schemes.

Speaking at an innovatively packaged 'Bharat Ko Maano' session at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Gandhinagar, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is particularly keen on institutionalizing linkages between resident Indians and the diaspora to promote exchange of ideas.

Gandhinagar, May 21 : Senior Gujarat minister Anandiben Patel was Wednesday unanimously elected the leader of the BJP Legislature Party here, making her the chief minister designate to succeed Narendra Modi.

A teacher-turned-politician, Patel, 73, will be sworn in as the state's first woman chief minister Thursday.

Addressing BJP legislators, a teary eyed Patel promised to continue the "glorious traditions of her predecessor" Modi, who is set to take over as India's prime minister.(IANS)

Gandhinagar, May 12 : In a video message on the last day of voting, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi appreciated the voters stamina to come out and vote in scorching weather.

"Despite the scorching heat, people have come out and voted to give strength to the new government. Without the people's involvement, this festival of democracy could not have been possible," Modi said.

He also held out hope that the election commission will be able to conduct the last phase polls peacefully and not totally depend on the help of the state police.

The meeting between the US envoy and Modi, widely regarded as a strong contender for the prime minister's post, marks a change in stance of the US which had denied the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader a visa in 2005 over the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Powell was presented a bouquet of roses by Modi, after which she and her aides held a meeting with him.

Earlier on February 11, Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) spokesperson that it is normal for foreign diplomats or ambassadors of different countries to make request to the External Affairs Ministry to facilitate their meetings with constitutionally elected and functionaries of states.

Gandhinagar, Jan 8 : Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the ''Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show 2013'' would open doors to strengthen old business relations, which would contribute to the growth of the economy.

"All the trade shows, which have been organized were not only to lure the visitors but to ensure that it acted as a catalytic agent to promote business. It is over that business worth billions of rupees takes place," said Modi, who inaugurated the ''Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show 2013'' here.

Gandhinagar, Jan 2 : The Narendra Modi-led government in Gujarat on Wednesday said that it would implement the Supreme Court''s judgement to uphold State Governor Kamla Beniwal''s decision to appoint Justice (retired) R A Mehta as Gujarat Lokayukta.

"We will soon implement the Supreme Court judgement on Lokayukta," said Gujarat Law Minister Bhupindersinh Chudasama.

"The Supreme Court has accepted Gujarat government''s contention that governor has to act as per the advice of the council of ministers," he added.

Gandhinagar, Sep 17 - Chief Minister Narendra Modi's three-day 'sadbhavana' fast beginning in Ahmedabad Saturday was poised to be a grand affair with the BJP state government making all arrangements, including five-tier security, for the event that will see the BJP top brass attending. AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has extended her support by sending two of her ministers.

Gandhinagar, Aug 24 : Activists taking out a rally here in support of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption crusade were baton-charged by the police late Tuesday night.

While the police claimed that the rally was illegal and was being taken out without any permission, activists claimed that it was deliberate resort to action by the cops without any provocation and on a peaceful lot of agitators.

The activists were reportedly taking out a rally when they were confronted by the policemen of the Umra police station. It led to an altercation and the police resorted to lathi charge.

While Gujaratis are known to be great travellers, the state tourism industry has never really flourished. But this year officials point to a sudden spurt. The May-September period this year is estimated to have seen 1.3 million more tourists compared to the same period last year, they say.

Gandhinagar, Jan 11 :Hearing in the Ahmedabad serial blasts case is expected to begin Jan 19 with charge sheets being framed against 62 accused in the bombings that killed 57 people and left over 150 injured on July 26, 2008,

The charge sheet was filed in the special court of Bela Trivedi, which will be conducting the proceedings inside the Sabarmati Central Jail at Ahmedabad, for security considerations.

Gandhinagar, Jan 11 : For eight months a five-member gang of thieves systematically pilfered semi-precious stones, large quantities of silverware and precious heirloom from one of the locked palaces of the Jamnagar royal family in Gujarat before it was nabbed, police said Monday.

According to Rajkot Deputy Inspector General of Police (Saurashtra range) Manoj Shashidhar, initially two men were picked up from a village Saturday night near Limbdi in Surendranagar district by sleuths of the Rapid Response Cell (RRC) and the local police.

Gandhinagar, Jan 8 : The Gujarat government has granted tax exemption to the Amitabh Bachchan starrer "Paa", that deals with a rare medical disorder, progeria or accelerated ageing.

A notification granting the tax exemption was issued by the Gujarat government Friday. The tax exemption in the entire state would come into effect from Saturday.

The plea for the tax exemption was made by Bachchan himself during his visit to the state capital Wednesday, when he met Chief Minister Narendra Modi and arranged a special showing of the film for Modi.

Bachchan, who has fans mooning over him the world over, has gone overboard in his praise for Modi and Gujarat after their meeting here Wednesday.

In his blog the filmstar states: "He (Modi) lives simply and with mere basic needs and most unlike the head of a state. He speaks with affection on development and progress. He is welcoming to fresh ideas and ideals. His oft repeated phrase of him being a CM, a common man, is not misunderstood.

Gandhinagar, Jan 7 : An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, arrested Wednesday for the post-earthquake Kutch land scam, was remanded in four days' police custody in Gujarat's Bhuj town, police said. Three others also were arrested Thursday, police added.

The former Kutch district collector and present Bhavnagar Municipal Commissioner, Pradeep Sharma was presented in court of Chief Judicial Magistrate B. J. Jadhav with a plea for seven days' police custody. But the court granted a police remand of four days.